☠ MASQ ☠
asked on
User Names missing from Welcome to Windows
Just had a call from my father who's XP box now boots to XP's Welcome to Windows login screen but the right hand page where user accounts are usually displayed is blank. Tried going to Safe Mode and using Ctrl+Alt+Del to get the Classic login and the hidden administrator account is not recognised. In both safe and normal mode the other accounts which have no password are not recognised either.
I'm aware of a number of fixes for this but am trying to find one I can describe "over the 'phone" to someone who is not an IT expert and who has no alternate way of booting the PC - trouble is I can't think of one. This is the only PC in the house.
From his desscription I guess this is what he has got (from http://internetducttape.com/2007/03/20/windows-xp-logon-screen-with-no-user-accounts/)
Any suggestions??
Thanks
M :o)
Windows-XP-welcome-screen-no-use.jpg
I'm aware of a number of fixes for this but am trying to find one I can describe "over the 'phone" to someone who is not an IT expert and who has no alternate way of booting the PC - trouble is I can't think of one. This is the only PC in the house.
From his desscription I guess this is what he has got (from http://internetducttape.com/2007/03/20/windows-xp-logon-screen-with-no-user-accounts/)
Any suggestions??
Thanks
M :o)
Windows-XP-welcome-screen-no-use.jpg
Speshalyst
Please check if the "Fast User Switching Compatibility" service is running ..
You might also have him hit the "Ctrl-Alt-Del" keys twice (instead of once).
Sounds just like my Father-in-Law -- are we related?
Vic
Sounds just like my Father-in-Law -- are we related?
Vic
If he has the Windows CD he can try to do an automatic repair (not a console repair). This will, at least recreate "administrator" with a blank password. Unfortunately, all windows updates and patches will then need to be reinstalled.
Simplest method is to buy him a program that resets Windows passwords.
Have the CD mailed to him and walk him through the prompts.
Simplest method is to buy him a program that resets Windows passwords.
Have the CD mailed to him and walk him through the prompts.
ASKER
@ speshalyst - how? - I think he needs to log in first
@glenn_1984 - no other bootable media there right now - what can I post that wouldn't look too scary (there are days when I find BartPE a bit formidable!).
>>buy him a program that resets Windows passwords - yes happy to - recommendation??
@younghv - not sure - do you look like my brother-in-law?? :P
@glenn_1984 - no other bootable media there right now - what can I post that wouldn't look too scary (there are days when I find BartPE a bit formidable!).
>>buy him a program that resets Windows passwords - yes happy to - recommendation??
@younghv - not sure - do you look like my brother-in-law?? :P
btw - I was serious about the multiple strikes on "Ctrl-Alt-Del".
You can probably find a copy of something called "ERD Commander 2005" if you do a Google Search.
It is the best 'password re-setter' I've ever used. It won't 'crack' a password, but it will let you change the existing or make it blank.
Vic
You can probably find a copy of something called "ERD Commander 2005" if you do a Google Search.
It is the best 'password re-setter' I've ever used. It won't 'crack' a password, but it will let you change the existing or make it blank.
Vic
ASKER
Thanks Vic - I wasn't ignoring the double Ctrl+Alt+Del - just been there already ...
ERD is a good idea - I think I've got a copy archived away from the pre Microsoft days
Would still welcome other suggestions otherwise it's "burn and post" tomorrow morning :)
ERD is a good idea - I think I've got a copy archived away from the pre Microsoft days
Would still welcome other suggestions otherwise it's "burn and post" tomorrow morning :)
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
>>run yours while he runs his
Is there some kind of RDC control involved (I don't think I can connect) or do you mean so I can see what he will be seeing if I run it at the same time?
Personally I'd prefer the (free) Winternals solution if it is "user friendly" - TBH I've never really used ERD in anger - but this does look useful.
Is there some kind of RDC control involved (I don't think I can connect) or do you mean so I can see what he will be seeing if I run it at the same time?
Personally I'd prefer the (free) Winternals solution if it is "user friendly" - TBH I've never really used ERD in anger - but this does look useful.
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Run yours as he runs his.
You boot your CD on your PC and he boots his CD on his PC.
You are not really interested in changing your PC, but you will see the same menus and screens as your dad. At the final step, he will enter a new password and you will not.
You boot your CD on your PC and he boots his CD on his PC.
You are not really interested in changing your PC, but you will see the same menus and screens as your dad. At the final step, he will enter a new password and you will not.
ASKER
Thanks both of you
Points shortly - partially reliant on the postal service and also because I want to have a play with both packages :)
Points shortly - partially reliant on the postal service and also because I want to have a play with both packages :)
ASKER
OK update time - both packages recognise the existing accounts on the PC and allow new passwords to be set.
However neither of them allowed the user names to reappear at the Welcome to Windows screen (still blank as image above). And despite the passwords being changed they still were not recognised either using the Classic Login forced from Ctrl-Alt-Del or from ERD's console (recovery).
Then went for repair/install (sent an XP boot disk with ERD and Login as well). This restored the user names to the Start Up BUT then got an LSASS error (the kind that says now reboot into Safe Mode but won't let you!)
From what I can gather over the 'phone the SAM is corrupted - not sure if this is as a result of trying to change the password using third party tools or if the SAM file was damaged already which is why the user accounts wouldn't display. Talked through replacing the SAM file over the phone and system is virtually back to normal.
*Except* every other time it boots now it displays a window saying Windows has detected a corrupt SAM and restored it from a backup.
Personally I think it may be time to rescue data, rebuild, possibly replace the HDD and make an image file to keep behind glass "in case of emergency".
What do you guys think?
However neither of them allowed the user names to reappear at the Welcome to Windows screen (still blank as image above). And despite the passwords being changed they still were not recognised either using the Classic Login forced from Ctrl-Alt-Del or from ERD's console (recovery).
Then went for repair/install (sent an XP boot disk with ERD and Login as well). This restored the user names to the Start Up BUT then got an LSASS error (the kind that says now reboot into Safe Mode but won't let you!)
From what I can gather over the 'phone the SAM is corrupted - not sure if this is as a result of trying to change the password using third party tools or if the SAM file was damaged already which is why the user accounts wouldn't display. Talked through replacing the SAM file over the phone and system is virtually back to normal.
*Except* every other time it boots now it displays a window saying Windows has detected a corrupt SAM and restored it from a backup.
Personally I think it may be time to rescue data, rebuild, possibly replace the HDD and make an image file to keep behind glass "in case of emergency".
What do you guys think?
I can't give you a specific answer, but I have, several times, rebuilt my windows and all programs & data onto a new hard drive.
I do keep an image backup ... however, that will not work 'cold' if I use different hardware.
I need to manually update the drivers.
I do keep an image backup ... however, that will not work 'cold' if I use different hardware.
I need to manually update the drivers.
MASQ - I sent an email to Fong asking for some advice, but I think I know what he will say.
It might be time for a run up to you Father's place. Get some free food and beer and re-load the computer.
I looked through a couple of the malware sites I hang out at and didn't see anything that looked like this. You might want to post the symptoms over in the Security/AV Zones and see if anyone takes a run at it.
rpggamergirl and IndiGenus stay really current on all the malware stuff.
Vic
It might be time for a run up to you Father's place. Get some free food and beer and re-load the computer.
I looked through a couple of the malware sites I hang out at and didn't see anything that looked like this. You might want to post the symptoms over in the Security/AV Zones and see if anyone takes a run at it.
rpggamergirl and IndiGenus stay really current on all the malware stuff.
Vic
ASKER
Good excuse for me to catch up with my dad :)
Not sure what damaged the install orginally but am convinced that somehow directly editing the passwords is what upset the SAM.
Have rebuilt and Acronis have put the clone disk behind glass in case of emergency - thanks both - as every so useful to be able to bounce ideas around :)
Not sure what damaged the install orginally but am convinced that somehow directly editing the passwords is what upset the SAM.
Have rebuilt and Acronis have put the clone disk behind glass in case of emergency - thanks both - as every so useful to be able to bounce ideas around :)
A trip back home sounds good - for any reason.
I now have three different customers (regulars) for whom I have made images. They muck up their computers about every 3-4 months and I'm tired of re-loading the darn things (and running all the updates).
Vic
I now have three different customers (regulars) for whom I have made images. They muck up their computers about every 3-4 months and I'm tired of re-loading the darn things (and running all the updates).
Vic